kinkel

Kinkel refers to a surname of German origin. It is believed to derive from the Middle High German word "kinkel," meaning a small, shiny stone or pebble. The name may have originally been a nickname for someone who lived near such stones or perhaps a metonymic occupational name for a stonecutter or jeweler.

Notable individuals who have borne the surname Kinkel include Johanna Kinkel (1761-1818), a German poet and composer. Her son, Gottfried Kinkel (1815-1882), was a German poet, art historian, and politician. Gottfried Kinkel was actively involved in the Revolutions of 1848 in Germany, advocating for democratic reforms. Following the failed revolution, he was imprisoned and later escaped to England. He spent many years in exile, continuing his academic and political work. The family's legacy is primarily associated with Gottfried Kinkel's significant contributions to German literature and his role in the liberal movements of the 19th century. The surname continues to be present in Germany and among people of German descent worldwide.